Course+Spring+2016

An introduction to the social, historical, and ethical influences on modern science and technology. Cases include development of the atomic bomb, mechanization of the workplace, Apollo space program, and others. Readings are drawn from history, fiction, and social sciences; films and documentary videos highlight questions about the application of scientific knowledge to human affairs. The class is designed to give students freedom to develop and express their own ideas. Society and the natural environment are crucially linked in a number of ways. Environmental problems such as pollution and natural resource depletion are not only problems for society, affecting the way we live our lives; they are also problems of society—the result of patterns of social organization and social practices. In this course, we will explore these society/environment interactions at various levels, from the local to the global, using the concepts and insights of environmental sociology. Environmental sociologists aim to understand the social origins of environmental problems and propose workable solutions to them. By showing how social interaction, institutions, and beliefs shape human behavior, environmental sociology provides a useful complement to the natural sciences in the analysis of the environmental problems faced today.
 * __ Science, Technology, & Society __**__ – 4cr., ci, SUST(STSH/S1110) Breyman TF 2-3:50PM __
 * __ Design, Culture and Society __**__ – 4 cr., ci(STSS2210 Winner MR 10:00-11:50AM __ This course allows students to develop a critical understanding of the relationships between design, culture, and society. 'Design' is defined broadly, touching on product/industrial design, urban design, and so-called alternative design approaches such as ecological and feminist design. Restricted to DIS majors.
 * __ Environment & Society __**__ – 4cr.,ci, SUST(STSH/2300) Costelloe TF 12:00 -1:50PM __
 * __ Reading in STSS __ **__ – 4cr., ci, TBA Staff __

** __ 21st Century Risks __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4330) Woodhouse TF 2:00-3:50PM __ This course covers two main types of technological risk: (1) innovating in ways that endanger health, quality of life, environment, or other goals; and (2) failing to pursue innovations that people need. Some understanding of the technical details is a prerequisite for making sense of emerging technologies, but the course focuses more on media, public opinion, political decision making, technologists’ incentives, and other social issues. This is a communication-intensive course.
 * __ Food, Farms & Famine __ **__ – 4cr.,ci, SUST(STSH/4260) Kinchy TF 10:00 -11:50 __
 * __ Sustainability Education __**__ – 4cr., m, SUST (STSS4280) Fortun MR 4:00-5:50PM __ What knowledge and thought styles are needed to advance environmental sustainability? How can educators cultivate the kind of knowledge and thinking needed? How can sustainability educators reach kids of different ages, and different kinds of communities? This course will examine these questions through review of varied ways environmental education can be conceptualized and delivered. The course will also provide opportunities for creative development of educational materials and outreach. Prerequisite, one STS or IHSS course with SUST focus.

** __ Environmental Politics & Policy __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4370, STSS6960) Breyman TF 10:00-11:50AM __ A highly interactive introduction to environmental politics and policy in the United States. Major themes include the background and context of environmental politics and policy, the policy-making process, environmental issues selected and reported on by students, the varieties of environmentalism, and environmental ethics.

This course surveys the actors, processes, and proposed solutions to the problems of environment and development. The theory and practice of three main themes are explored: the background and context of environment in North and South; politics and economic development in the south; and the problems and prospects for sustainable societies in North and South.
 * __Globalization__ __ & Development __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4500) MR 2:00-3:50PM __

Self-organization has become an increasingly important phenomenon in both the natural sciences and engineering. Self-assembly of molecular structure is critical to nanotechnology; self-regulating ecosystems are modeled in biology, and so on. But recursive loops in which things govern themselves are also foundational to society: democracy is the people governing the people; social networks on the internet arise by self-assembly, and many indigenous societies use self-organization to create sustainable ways of life. This course will introduce students to models of self-organization in natural science and engineering, and examine their potential application to society, politics, and ethics. The sixth design studio for non-engineering majors participating in the interdisciplinary Programs in Design and Innovation, this course introduces students to organizational dimensions of new concept design, development and dissemination, including entrepreneurship, organization planning, product management, and branding and marketing. The course requires students to synthesize social, technical, business, and formal concerns in the design of innovation objects, environments, or systems. This course offers an insight into the public policy process from the vantage point of a part-time internship in the public or private sector as well as an opportunity to explore a career option before actually embarking upon it. The following is a partial list of the large number of possible internships: airport planning, architecture, banking, biological research, clinical psychology, computer science, consumer protection, corporate management, engineering, environmental planning, geology, local government, mate- rials and mechanical engineering, noise pollution abatement, personnel management review, premedical, public finance and taxation, public health management, public relations, social work, state legislature, stock market, transportation planning, and urban planning. Prerequisites: STSH-1110/STSS- 1110 or permission of instructor.
 * __ Self-Organization in Science & Society __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4580) Eglash MR 12-1:50PM __
 * __ PDI Studio VI __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4610, ENGR4610) Nieusma MR 2:00-4:50PM __
 * __ Public Service Internship - __ **__ 4cr. (STSH/S4800) Woodhouse TF 4:00-5:50 PM __
 * __ Reading in STSS __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4940) Staff, TBA __

This course offers an overview of social science techniques and research design and logistics and approaches widely used in STS.
 * __ STS Research Methods (Survey) __ **__ – 4/3cr., SUST (STSH4960/STSS6110) Mascarenhas TF 2:00-3:50PM __


 * __ Topics in Economic Policy __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4962, ECON 4961) Gowdy TF 2:00 - 3:50PM __

** __Sustainability Careers__ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4964) Costelloe MR 10:00 - 11:50AM __ Introduces students to the basic analytical approaches to environmental issues and natural resource use. Emphasis is on economic valuation and public policy. Covers traditional approaches based on assumptions of economic rationality and market efficiency as well as current approaches from the fields of environmental science behavioral economics. Emphasis is on active student participation and examination of current environmental controversies. Prerequisite: ECON 2010 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
 * __ Sciences of Sustainability __ **__ – 4cr., SUST (STSH4963) Fortun MR 10:00 - 11:50AM __
 * __ Environmental and Resource Economics __**__ – 4cr., SUST (ECON4260) Gowdy T/F 10:00-11:50AM __

This class is designed to support the development of STS senior thesis projects. Independent research supervised by a faculty member, culminating in a written thesis. A creative endeavor such as a videotape or computer program may be substituted with departmental permission. This is a communication-intensive course. Restricted to STS0, SUST AND DIS majors with senior standing.
 * __ Senior Project __**__ – 4cr., ci, SUST (STSH/S4980) Malazita W 4-5:50PM __

__ **Technology Studies** – 3cr., SUST (STSH6040) Winner M 6:00 - 8:50PM __ __** Research Methods – ** 3cr., SUST (STSH6110) Mascarenhas TF 2:00 - 3:50PM __ **__ Advanced Research Methods STS __**__ – 3cr., SUST (STSH6120) Fortun R 10:00 - 12:50PM __ **__ Reading in STSS– 3cr., SUST (STSH6940) Staff, TBA __** ** __ Environmental Politics & Policy __ **__ – 3cr., SUST (STSH4370, STSS6960) Breyman TF 10:00-11:50AM __ ** __ Generative Justice __ **__ – 3cr., SUST (STSH6961) Eglash F 10:00 - 12:50PM __ ** __ Sciences of Sustainability __ **__ – 3cr., SUST (STSH6967) Fortun MR 10:00 - 11:50AM __